THE BULLFINCH. 61 



time popular songs ; operas and waltzes being unknown in the region. The birds 

 were taken to London by enterprising dealers, and, as soon as their beautiful quali- 

 ties became known, were in great demand : the music, no matter how slow or unin- 

 teresting, whenever rendered by a Bullfinch, was very enjoyable. But constant 

 repetition in music tires ; and, as the birds became better known, sprightly English 

 melodies were whistled to the buyers, who, on returning to Germany, whistled them 

 to the trainers for the birds to learn. If the buyer did not mix his music with 

 too much beer, he could render it tolerably well ; and the bird taught these sprightly 

 songs, when sent to the London market, would have a double value. 



The buyer of the trained Bullfinches is usually a German, who buys for large 

 American importers. His lot is by no means a happy one, as the Bullfinch teacher 

 has about as much patience in holding out for a great price as he has in teaching ; 

 and, since the birds must be bought for the Christmas market, the buyer's trip into 

 this bleak and desolate country is made in dead of winter. Here is deep snow and 

 piercing winds, and temperature that quickly freezes ears and fingers, and, worst 

 of all, the three meals of " Limburger." ^Eneas' agonies in founding "Troy" 

 seem, in comparison, sweet pleasures. 



The buyer is usually a jolly fellow despite all he undergoes, and drinks beer, 

 and flirts with the untutored maidens, in a most business-like manner. Generally 

 well known in the district, he is a most welcome guest ; he indulges in no prelimina- 

 ries on arrival, but is at once conducted to the nearest trainer's house : and " Hann- 

 schen " little "Hans" is coaxed to pipe, but, like our " smart " baby, is 

 stupidity itself, and will not perform even half rate. As the buyer has no time to 

 lose, and plenty of deep-snow pedestrianism in view, his patience quickly ebbs ; and 

 the trainer resorts to all sorts of devices to detain him, and make the bird pipe. 

 The daily swaying to which the bird is so well accustomed produces no effect, pet 

 names are lavished all to no purpose, tempers are lost on both sides, and little 

 Hannschen is cursed and recursed. As a last resort the box is closed, and we re- 

 treat outside the door : then the little rascal is evidently delighted with the fight 

 and his victory. Standing outside, the trainer takes two large, rusty keys, or simi- 

 lar articles, and rubs them together, in order to produce a low, harsh sound ; Hann- 

 schen, thinking himself alone, always responds in a low, sweet voice, piping his 

 full song with spirit and fine expression. 



The price for the first bird is carefully considered, as this regulates the market- 

 price for the dorf. After completing the bargain at the first house, Hannschen is 

 quickly transferred to a wicker cage, and closely covered, to protect him from the 

 biting wind. The buyer is then escorted by the owner of this house to a neighbor's : 

 it may be four rods, or perhaps two miles, distant. The two German trainers 

 converse in a dialect peculiar to that country, so as not to be understood by the 

 buyer, himself a German, who vainly tries to get the thread of the conversation ; but 

 the only words intelligible to him are, "whistling" and " Bullfinch." When trainer 

 number two is posted on the prices, a sale is made ; the invariable rule being, to 

 obtain the price which the first bird commanded. When a bird is found extra fine, 

 a higher price is demanded and given. A trainer's word should be carefully 

 weighed and found correct before being taken for literal truth. The character of 

 the " Father of his Country" may exert in America a great and good influence; 

 but in Germany they ask, " Who vas Shorge Vashington ? " 



